Newbie help on soundcard to get

[Henry Low]

Hi, I am an avid piano player and singer and I wanted to try recording on my own computer.

I have a few questions that I hope you guys might be able to help me with

1. I am aware that I cant just use any old soundcard to get good recording results, and I have came cross this soundcard called the Maya44 and the Maya 5.1 USB soundcard.. I was wondering if it was good sound card choice for recording... I plan to record Vocals.. piano sounds.. and some drum sequences too probaly...

2. It says that the Maya44 and the Maya 5.1 USB soundcard comes with a microphone pre amp.. Would that mean I can just buy a microphone and plug it in to this soundcard and get good vocal recording results with buying a mic preamp?

3. The Maya 44 comes with a built in phantom mic preamp.. and the Maya 5.1 USB comes with a Dynamic MIC & Condenser 5V-PC use headset thing, whats the difference between those two? and does that mean I have to buy a specific kind of mic depending on which soundcard I use?

4. Would these two sound card solutions be appropriate for waht I am doing? I am going to record my own voice.. the piano sounds from my korg sp-100.. and maybe add in some drum sequences of some sort.

5. I noticed that these two soundcards dont have a midi in/out, does that mean I have to buy a uSB midi in/out ?


Thanks in advance.. your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[James Argo]

1. I think it's good enough for your recording need, you'll need Miditrack2120 optional MIDI interface for doing MIDI.

2. You mean without buying any pre amps ? It depends on how you describe "good". Generaly, it works fine. But don't hope for sonic quality.

3. I dunno what's the difference, but I'm aware that bundled kind of mic is no good for serious recording. Get some better like Shure SM57 / SM58.
You don't need to use specific mic to record your song. Any good / well known mic will do. Like I mean above.

4 & 5. The card is good, however, you'll need optional Miditrack2120 (2in/2out) MIDI interface conected to MAYA internally. It doesn't require additional slot. Using KORG SP-100 is good for piano / EP, but it doesn't have any drums sound. If you think you'll make a drums sequencer, then you'll need additional sound generator (You didn't mention if you have else devices).
I readed all over your quest, seems like you'll need SoundBlaster cards (Live!, Audigy, etc...) Why ? Because it's simple, has a MIDI port, has Soundfont capability (so you don't have to buy any drums module anymore...). But however, you'll want to buy Mic pre-amps to get better result in mic recording. But, tell me if I misstaken.

 

[Henry Low]

Thanks for your reply..

I have another question though.. Is it possible to have both the Maya 5.1 USB and a SBlive soundcard in the computer at the same time? and is it also possible to have the Maya44 and the SB live soundcard in the omcputer at the same time?

Thanks